Plantation-based Thales e-Security adding jobs

French multinational company Thales is expanding throughout Florida, from its e-security business in Plantation to its flight entertainment system in Orlando and Melbourne.

"We have been on a growth trajectory of 20 to 25 percent annually," said Cindy Provin, who leads Thales e-Security for the United States, Canada and Latin America, based in Plantation. She said year-over-year revenue and hiring have been on the rise.

The provider of encryption services has 100 employees in Plantation. Thales e-Security added 23 employees in 2014, 27 in 2015 and 14 so far in 2016, Provin said.

Thales' airplane entertainment and connectivity business, InFlyt Experience, is adding 500 jobs in the state. Gov. Rick Scott announced the new jobs coming to Orlando and Melbourne last week at the Farnborough International Airshow near London.

Both Thales e-Security and InFlyt Experience are part of global aerospace company Thales Group, based in Paris.

At the e-security business, growth is being driven by compliance with data security regulations, Provin said. More incidences of data breaches are also a factor. Thales e-Security customers include government, financial services, retail, high-tech manufacturers, educational organizations and utilities.

Provin said the growth doesn't even include Thales e-Security's acquisition earlier this year of Vormetric, a data protection company based in San Jose that will further add to the work force, she said. Thales e-Security also has operations in San Jose.

She doesn't expect downsizing, she said. "We'll grow faster now that we're combined."

As a regional headquarters, Thales e-Security has a broad group of jobs in Plantation, but its biggest needs are for software engineers and sales representatives, Provin said.

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, which works to attract new businesses and add jobs in Broward County, said online security is becoming a hot sector both for employers and educators.

While some tech companies including BlackBerry and Motorola have downsized in recent years, others are expanding in the county because "they see the talent is here," said David Coddington, vice president for business development at the Alliance.

Local universities are recognizing the need for tech and security industry skills, Coddington said. For example, Nova Southeastern University in Davie has a new IBM supercomputer, as well as academic programs supported by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security.

Growth often means change, which can be a risk for retaining companies in the region. Provin said Thales e-Security expanded its leased offices in Plantation by 35,000 square feet just two years ago, but now it is running out of room.

"We would expect in the next year we're going to expand again," she said. "We would prefer to stay here in Plantation, so we wouldn't disrupt the core business."